Exploring the Panama Canal

Do you or your parents take shortcuts when you walk or drive somewhere? Ships like shortcuts too, especially when they save hundreds of miles! Learn about this big liquid elevator and how it works!

categories

World, World

subject

History

learning style

Visual

personality style

Otter

Grade Level

Intermediate (3-5)

Lesson Type

Quick Query

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

This watery elevator used more than 60 million pounds of dynamite in its construction. Take a look at this short clip!

Panama Canal Time Lapse – Full Transit Travel From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic from Trans-Americas Journey:

What is the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal is a large canal, or waterway, in the Isthmus of Panama, that allows ships to pass between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Take a look at the map below to view the location of the canal:

The canal was built by the United States of America and was officially opened on August 15, 1914. Before the Panama Canal was constructed, ships had a much longer journey traveling around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. How much longer? The trip from the east coast to the west coast of the United States by way of Cape Horn was about 8,000 nautical miles longer!

How does the Panama Canal work?

The canal uses a system of locks that function as water lifts, raising ships from sea level to the level of Gatun Lake, which is approximately 26 meters above sea level. To pass through the canal, ships must pay a toll that is based on their cargo space.

Take a look at the following Panama Canal-produced video to learn how the Panama Canal works. As you view How Does the Panama Canal Work?, pay close attention to how the ships pass through the canal. When you have watched the video, discuss with your parent or teacher the following questions:

Why was the Panama Canal constructed?

How are the ships raised to a height above sea level?

What types of ships do you think pass through the canal?

What types of cargo are transported on the ships passing through the canal?

Note the time it takes a ship to move through the canal, and the number of ships that have passed through the canal:

Now that you have looked at how the canal works, do you think it should be listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World? The Seven Wonders of the Modern World is a list of structures that are identified for their extraordinary design.

Share your thoughts with your parent or teacher, then continue to the Got It? section to complete a brief quiz about the Panama Canal.

Resources and Extras

Supplies

pen or pencil

paper

slideshow software

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